MAKING WAVES was fancied on her promising debut over this trip in the capital last month and she would have come on appreciably from the experience. Of course she narrowly defeated subsequent winner Pearl Tiara in the barrier trial over this track & trip prior to that.

BUCKLEBERRY was fancied on his impressive debut when he stayed on for 2nd behind subsequent winner Roman Dancer on the grass at Scottsville four weeks ago and of course he easily beat his stablemate Kingdom Come (pipped on debut subsequently) in his trial over this track & trip prior to that. The son of Crusade should make natural progress and he holds obvious claims.

Race 7: DUSKY DANCER(4) Jockey: S BROWN - Trainer: W BADENHORST

DUSKY DANCER has had a dozen chances but the three-year old found some good form before a 14 week rest with arguably her career best performance coming when she ran on smartly for 3rd in a strong field over nine furlongs on this course last time out. The runner-up of that start Palace Mystery has won since to boost the formline.

Race 8: JOSEPHINE BAKER(10) Jockey: K DE MELO - Trainer: D KANNEMEYER

The three-year old filly JOSEPHINE BAKER has progressed smartly with each of her two local starts and she stayed on smartly for 3rd over a similar trip on the grass early last month. Her conditioner has forgone the opportunity to participate in the prior event against her own sex which speaks volumes and the lightly raced daughter of Ideal World could be a massive threat on her peak showing. Of course she was making late headway in her provincial debut which was on this track.

VALUE BET FOR TODAY

Race 6: AMOR ARDIENTE(5) Jockey: S VEALE - Trainer: B IMPEY

This is another extremely competitive handicap where a close finish is again expected and the local AMOR ARDIENTE can finally get that deserved second career win. The bay gelding has the credentials and he will relish the likely strong tempo as he did when running on for 3rd in a stronger line-up on the grass at Scottsville last time out.